Asked 3/25/2016 – Prosper, TX

My home is located off of a moderately busy highway sometimes causing a backup of traffic leading to the signal light for my neighborhood. Since there are no additional points of turn prior to my neighborhood, it is common for drivers making a left turn to access the middle (turn) lane early.

However, today while doing so, I was stopped an officer from a neighboring city who serves as a police officer for the middle school located a few miles away. Despite explaining to the officer that I was in fact turning into my neighborhood, and was completely unaware of any laws prohibiting such, he cited me for “passing in a no passing zone”.

Is this correct, and is it even worth my time to attend traffic court?

Thanks in advance!!

Answer

I’m not sure of the offense you describe is passing in a no passing zone unless there is a traffic control device applicable in your direction. Improper passing, improper turn, turning from the wrong lane and changing lanes too close to an intersection are all possibilities, however. Check out Texas Transportation Code Section 545 et. seq. Your knowledge or lack thereof of any law does not affect the enforceability of the law. Talk with a local attorney who knows the area